James D. “Bo” Bargmann, 62 of Champaign, IL passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at Carle Foundation Hospital.
Bo was born in Watseka, IL, on July 7, 1961, to Clyde Burnell “Burley” and Carol Ann (Rademacher) Bargmann. He was the youngest of 5 children.
He graduated from Gilman High School in 1979, then worked one year at L.E. Myers before attending college. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1986 earning a B.S. in Economics.
On June 16, 1984, he married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Merkle at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilman, IL. She survives.
Family was everything to him. Bo and Mary dedicated their lives to raising their two children, Drew D. (Laura) Bargmann of Champaign, IL and Annie C. (Paul) Rohrer of Inverness, IL. Bo was the best Papa to Everett, Jordan, Samuel Bargmann and Parker, Beau, Jacob Rohrer. He loved them fiercely and was known for his chocolate chip cookies, sleepover breakfasts, and having coffee and milk on the back porch.
He had a passion for sports. He developed many lifelong friends through the sports he played. Bo was proud to have played on a State Championship Softball team. He loved cheering on his children and grandchildren at their sporting events with words of encouragement. Many of his favorite times were spent at the lake; swimming, fishing, playing games, and grilling for those he loved.
After working for 20 years at K & R Painting, he established his own successful business; Bo’s Quality Painting. Due to his work ethic, discipline, dedication, sense of humor, and quick wit he was well loved and respected by his clients, many of whom became close friends.
Also surviving are his parents, Burley and Carol Bargmann, mother-in-law Patricia Merkle, siblings Candy (Bret) Schmid, Cindy (Bob) Miller, Brenda Bargmann, and David “Dink” (Jacquie) Bargmann, as well as brothers-in-law David, Kevin, John (Mindy), James (Julie), and Robert (Kirsten) Merkle, sisters-in-law Gayle Matt, Lisa (Jim) Redenius, Sue Merkle, Kathy Morrison; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his maternal & paternal grandparents, brother Michael Bargmann, father-in-law Eugene Merkle, brothers-in-law Stuart and Ross Merkle, and sister-in-law Diane Merkle.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023 at the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman, IL with a 2:30 p.m. Rosary Service. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Gilman, IL with Rev. Marek Herbut officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Gilman, IL.
Memorials may be made to a College Fund for his grandchildren.
Please share a memory of Bo at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.
